Australian trio qualifies for Presidents Cup

GOLF: Australian trio Jason Day, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are among the automatic qualifiers for an International team that will be aiming to win its first Presidents Cup since 1998.

The US has won nine of the 11 match-ups, with the 12th edition teeing off on September 28 at Liberty National in New Jersey.

Along with Day, Scott and Leishman (pictured), the Internationals will feature Japan's world No.3 Hideki Matsuyama as well as South African trio Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace, Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, Si Woo Kim of South Korea and Canadian Adam Hadwin.

Australian Scott Hend is among the players being considered for the last two picks by captain Nick Price.

Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas head up the US team, with captain Steven Strickler contemplating picking Phil Mickelson, who has played in all 11 events dating back to 1994.

Leishman, meanwhile, was forced to settle for third at the US PGA Tour's second playoffs event, behind winner Justin Thomas and world No.2 Jordan Spieth.

The Australian led heading into the final round in Boston but delivered five back-nine bogeys to card a one-under 70 at TPC Boston to finish the tournament at 13-under.

He had earlier claimed a two-shot lead with six birdies.

A win would have seen Leishman well placed for the $US10 million bonus that is handed to the winner of the season-long points race after the fourth and final playoffs event, the 30-man Tour Championship.

Still, his third placing lifts Leishman from 20th to seventh in the standings.